PSA: The debate over solo vs group hiking on the JMT

I met a guy at Red's Meadow last summer who swore solo hiking was the only way to really connect with the trail, but then I ran into a family of four near Muir Trail Ranch who said they'd never made it over Mather Pass without each other's help. He told me his favorite moment was sitting alone at sunrise on a peak, while she said her best memory was her kid spotting a bear cub from the group. Do you think the isolation of solo hiking is worth the risk, or does the safety and shared experience of a group make it the better choice?

2 comments

2 Comments

cole_bailey8518d ago

Solo every time for me, just pack a Garmin.

sarahsullivan17d ago

My buddy Mike tried solo hiking the JMT two years ago. He made it all the way to Forester Pass, got caught in a surprise hailstorm near the top, and his Garmin died. He ended up huddled under a boulder for three hours with no way to call for help, just shivering and waiting it out. A group of three dudes from Oregon found him on their way down and basically dragged him to their camp for hot food and a dry tent. He still says it was a great trip, but he also admits he never would have made that hike if those guys hadn't showed up. That story always stuck with me.